About Pondoro Game Lodge

Pondoro is on the banks of the Olifants River inside the 40 000-hectare Balule Nature Reserve. There are no fences between Balule Nature Reserve and the Kruger National Park, which means all the animals move freely between Balule and the Kruger.

Pondoro Game Lodge has been operating as a commercial lodge for the past 13 years. We invite guests to indulge in the ultimate luxury when selecting anyone of our luxury suites during your stay. All our suites are air-conditioned and offer modern comforts. Each suite has a private wooden deck, a lounge area, a Jacuzzi and an outside shower for those who are adventurous at heart. We have three luxury chalets overlooking the Olifants River. Each chalet has an African theme, an en-suite bathroom with a shower overlooking the river, air-conditioning, mosquito nets and a wooden deck. Please note we do not accept children under the age of 12.

Meals are an extraordinary culinary experience where traditional African cuisine fuses effortlessly with modern European trends. To complement the food, guests can select wine from our extensive wine cellar. We cater for vegetarians and we serve all meals on a wooden deck high up in the tree canopy overlooking the Olifants River. An unforgettable bush dinner will await those who stay for a third night.

Regular Big 5 sightings include lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard. There was a reintroduction of African wild dogs in the Pondoro traversing area. Morning and evening game drives are in open game drive vehicles. All guides have more than five years’ experience. Pondoro has rights to traverse on more than 10 000 hectares that includes a network of more than 350 km of bush roads. All game drive vehicles are four-wheel drive and this means that we can follow the Big 5 off road into the bush to get a closer view if necessary.

This game reserve is the perfect place to meet the lions.The luxury rooms are very spacious and well decorated with a perfect room-service.

John Carew, United Kingdom

★★★★★

15 January 2007

Top class but extremely relaxed and friendly establishment. If you are looking for guaranteed sightings of the Big-Five on every game drive, then you are probably better off going to a more mass toursim establishment. This in my view looses some of the spirit of why you are there in the first place, so Pondoro was just the place for us. Whilst most animals are easily visible, you would find yourself tracking the lions on most days, which makes the sightings much more rewarding. The trackers and guides are First rate. There is nothing Robbie doesn't seem to know about the environment and the...

Things to do in and around Balule Nature Reserve

African Summer Spa is one of the top health and wellness centres in Limpopo province, South Africa.
Offering half-day and full-day packages including lunch, there are a variety of treatments and packages available to ensure that guests feel relaxed...

The perfect place to spend some time. 24 Degrees South at the the Old Silk Farm is full of interesting things to see and do. Great mountain views and friendly staff add to one’s experience; from enjoying a delicious meal at Anne’s Cotton Club Café,...

Take to the sky in a hot air balloon for the experience of your life! Sun Catchers Hot Air Ballooning offers one-hour long flights from Hoedspruit over the scenic Blyde River.
Soar above a mix of farmland and private nature reserves at the foot of...